• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.50 no.5
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• pp.507-513
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• 2023

Background Free tissue transfer is considered the gold standard option for the reconstruction of distal leg defects. Free tissue transfer using recipient vessels in the contralateral leg (cross-leg bridge) is a potential option to supply the flap if there are no suitable recipient vessels in the injured leg. Most studies have described this technique using end-to-end anastomosis which sacrifices the main vessel in the uninjured leg. This study evaluated the use of a cross-leg free latissimus dorsi muscle flap for the reconstruction of defects in single-vessel legs, using end-to-side anastomosis to recipient vessels in the contralateral leg without sacrificing any vessel in the uninjured leg. Methods This is a retrospective study that included 22 consecutive patients with soft tissue defects over the lower leg. All the reconstructed legs had a single artery as documented by CT angiography. All patients underwent cross-leg free latissimus dorsi muscle flap using end-to-side anastomosis to the posterior tibial vessels of the contralateral leg. Results The age at surgery ranged from 12 to 31 years and the mean defect size was 86 cm². Complete flap survival occurred in 20 cases (91%). One patient had total flap ischemia. Another patient had distal flap ischemia. Conclusion Cross-leg free latissimus dorsi muscle flap is a reliable and safe technique for the reconstruction and salvage of mutilating leg injuries, especially in cases of leg injuries with a single artery. As far as preservation of the donor limb circulation is concerned, end-to-side anastomosis is a reasonable option as it maintains the continuity of the donor leg vessels.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.835-838
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• 2010

Purpose: Reconstruction of soft tissue defects in the distal lower leg, especially in the distal third, largely depends on free tissue transfer and local fasciocutaneous flaps. But several local muscle flaps have also been proposed as useful alternative reconstructive manner. In this report, the authors present the successful use of the flexor digitorum longus muscle flaps in the distal lower leg reconstruction. Methods: Case 1: An 81-year-old woman with a dog bite wound in the left distal lower leg was admitted. She had a $10{\times}8\;cm$ wound with tibial exposure along the medial aspect of the leg. Soft tissue reconstruction with a flexor digitorum longus muscle flap and a split-thickness skin graft was performed. Case 2: A 77-year-old woman had a squamous cell carcinoma in the right distal lower leg. After wide excision, a $5{\times}4\;cm$ wound was developed with exposure of the tibia. The flexor digitorum longus muscle flap was transposed and covered with a split-thickness skin graft. Results: The flexor digitorum longus muscle flaps were shown to be useful to cover tibial defects in the distal lower leg. During the follow-up period, no significant donor site morbidity was found. Conclusion: The flexor digitorum longus muscle flap can be used to cover the exposed distal tibia, especially when a free tissue transfer is not an option. The relative ease of dissection and minimal functional deficits were the major advantages of this flap, while the extent of reach into the lower third has a limitation.

• The Journal of the Korean bone and joint tumor society
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.22-29
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• 1998

A limb-sparing operation has a definitive role in the treatment of osteosarcoma in the lower extremity of skeletally-immature patients. After a limb-sparing operation, leg length discrepancy remains as a major disability that should be corrected. This study was designed to suggest methods of tumor resection and proper timing of leg length equalization in skeletally immature osteosarcoma patients. From September 1990 to January 1998, we reviewed eight osteosarcoma patients in an immature skeletal age. There were 4 males and 4 females, and their mean duration of follow-up was 50.37 months (range : 25 to 88 months). Mean skeletal age was 8 years (range : 8 months to 11 years). The patients were classified according to the methods of tumor resection ; intercalary resection in 1 case, transepiphyseal resection in 1, intra-articular resection in 5, and extra-articular resection in 1. The results were as follows ; 1. The leg lengthening was begun when a patient's leg length discrepancy reached 4-5cm. 2. The age of final lengthening with permanent reconstruction was 14 years in males and 12 years in females (about 2 years before skeletal maturity). 3. When reconstruction was performed with a temporary spacer, the site of lengthening Was in the soft tissue, not in bone, and then a permanant reconstruction was done. 4. Reconstruction with a biologic spacer to preserve the joint function was a reasonable method for equalization of leg length. In conclusion, the appropriate choice of reconstructive method and the age at which to correct the leg length discrepancy in a skeletally-immature osteosarcoma patients are important factors for maintaining leg length at full maturity.

• Journal of Power Electronics
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• v.11 no.6
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• pp.837-845
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• 2011

This paper proposes phase current reconstruction techniques for two-phase two-leg and two-phase four-leg inverters using a single current sensor. In the proposed methods, one phase current is sampled simultaneously with a particular branch current by using only one current sensor, and then current reconstruction algorithms are applied to extract the information on two phase currents from the sensor output. The sampled current information is periodically updated at the peak and the valley of the triangular carrier waveform in each switching cycle of pulse-width modulation (PWM). The voltage vector spaces where the phase currents can be reconstructed are evaluated. Compared to the existing method using two individual current sensors in two phases, the proposed schemes can save implementation cost since it is possible to remove one current sensor. In addition, the proposed methods are free from gain discrepancy issues between two current sensors. Simulations and experiments show excellent current reconstruction performance of the proposed methods.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.517-523
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• 2011

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are treatedwith surgical reconstruction. Although ACL consists of two functional bundles, only the anteromedial bundle is surgically reconstructed, and the effect of the reconstruction of the posterolateral bundle is unknown. The purpose of this study is to investigate the role of the posterolateral bundle and the effect of double-bundle reconstruction during single-leg landing. A 3D dynamic knee with various ACL reconstructed models was created using MRI, and single-leg landing motion was simulated using in-vivo human experimental data. The results showed that the lateral shift of the tibial insertion of the anteromedial bundle and the posterolateral bundle of the ACL constrain the tibial internal rotation more efficiently than a single anteromedial bundle can. In addition, double-bundle ACL reconstruction is less sensitive to inaccuracies in the tibial tunnel placement.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.50 no.6
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• pp.593-600
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• 2023

Background Soft tissue reconstruction around the knee area is still an open question, particularly in persistent infections and multiple reoperations scenario. Flap coverage should guarantee jointmobility and protection, even when foreign materials are implanted. The chimeric harvesting of the musculocutaneous gastrocnemius flap, based on the sural artery perforators, can extend its applicability in soft tissue reconstruction of the upper leg, overcoming the drawbacks of the alternative pedicled flaps. Methods A multicenter retrospective study was conducted enrolling patients who underwent to a pedicled, chimeric gastrocnemius musculocutaneous-medial sural artery perforator (GM-MSAP) or lateral sural artery perforator (GM-LSAP) flap for knee coverage in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) recurrent infections and oncological or traumatic defects of the upper leg from 2018 to 2021. Outcomes evaluated were the successful soft tissue reconstruction and flap complications. Surgical timing, reconstruction planning, technique, and rehabilitation protocols were discussed. Results Twenty-one patients were included in the study. Nineteen GM-MSAPs and 2 GM-LSAPs were performed (soft tissue reconstruction in infected TKA [12], in infected hardware [4], and in oncological patients [5]). Donor site was closed primarily in 9 cases, whereas a skin graft was required in 12. Flap wound dehiscence (1), distal flap necrosis (1), distal necrosis of the skin paddle (1), and donor site infection (1) were the encountered complications. Flap reraise associated to implant exchange or extensive debridement was successful without requiring any further flap surgery. Conclusion The propeller-perforator GM-MSAP offers qualitative defect coverage and easiness of multiple flap reraise due to skin availability and its laxity.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.539-542
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• 2005

Reconstructions of soft tissue defect of the posterior ankle including Achilles the tendon should take into account not only coverage but functional outcome. Various methods of tendon transfer and tendon graft have been reported as a single-stage procedure. With advances and refinements in microsurgical techniques, several free composite flaps including tendon, fascia, or nerve have been used in single-stage reconstructions of large defects in this area minimizing further damage to the traumatized leg. However, when free flap is not feasible for some reasons, this cannot be accomplished successfully. Here we present a patient with Achilles tendon and circumferential large soft tissue defect. Because of circulatory compromise of the lower extremity, free flap reconstruction could not be applied. Instead, cross-leg composite flap of the dorsalis pedis flap including the extensor hallucis brevis musle and tendon, and tendon strips of the Second, third and fourth extensor digitorum logus were employed, Functional reconstruction of the tendon and resurfacing were obtained at the same time. The flap was detached 3 weeks postoperatively, and the transplanted flap has survived without any complications. By 3 months after surgery, full weight bearing, tip-toe standing and even walking without crutch assistance was possible. When functional reconstruction with the free flap is unattainable in the large defect of the posterior ankle including the Achilles tendon, cross-leg composite island flap of dorsalis pedis flap and tendon strips of the extensor digitorum longus tendon is a viable alternative.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.74-81
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• 2004

This study was designed to introduce the cross-leg free flap only for vein anastomosis as an alternative salvage method for the reconstruction of severe soft tissue defects in vascular-compromised lower extremities. Four cross-leg free flap reconstructions were performed using the latissimus dorsi muscle to reconstruct soft tissue defects in the lower extremity. The recipient artery was confined to the ipsilateral side and the venous anastomosis was carried out in the contralateral side. Both legs were immobilized together with an external fixator. All patients were males, and had a mean age of 31 years. The mean time of pedicle division was 8.8 days range of 7 to 10 days. The mean size of the flap was 186.5 cm2. All flaps survived after pedicle division without venous congestion. There was no complication in joint stiffness, nor donor site morbidity except for a linear scar. The cross-leg free flap only for vein anastomosis is a refinement of a salvage procedure used for the reconstruction of severe soft tissue defects in vascular-compromised lower extremities.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.447-453
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• 2005

The coverage of soft tissue defects around the knee joint or upper one third of lower leg presents a difficult challenge to the reconstructive surgeon. Various reconstructive choices are available depending on the location, size and depth of the defect. The authors present their clinical application of a medial sural artery perforator island flap as a useful alternative method for upper one third of lower leg and knee reconstruction. From 2002 to 2004, we operated total 4 patients (total 4 flaps) using the medial sural artey perforator island flap for coverage of the defect on upper one third of lower leg and knee, of 4 patients, 3 patients was men and one was woman. Average patient age was 54.6 years. The largest flap obtained was 10x8cm2. Postoperative follow up of the patients ranged from two to 33 months. In two cases, defects was located on upper one third of lower leg and in other two cases, defects were on the knee. All four cases had bone exposure open wound. In angiography, 2 cases had injured in the anterior tibial artery, 1 case had injured in the posterior tibial artery. There were no diabetes or other vascular disease. All 4 flaps were survived completely, without minor complications such as venous congestion and hematoma. Donor morbidity was restricted substantially to the donor linear scar. There were no functional impairment. As the main advantages of the medial sural perforator island flap, it ensures constant location and reliable blood supply without sacrificing any main source artery or damaging underlying muscle. This procedure is valuable extension of local flap for defect coverage with minimal functional deficit donor site and good aesthetic result on the defect. We consider it as one of the useful methods of the upper one third of lower leg and knee reconstruction.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.77-84
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• 2006

Purpose: We present clinical usefulness of saphenous neurocutaneous island flap for reconstruction of soft tissue defect of the lower leg, especially anteromedial aspect, including foot and ankle. Materials and Methods: Thirteen cases of soft tissue defects in the lower leg including foot and ankle which were 6 cases of pretibial area, 2 cases of anteromedial aspect of distal two third, 2 cases of ankle, and 3 cases of foot were treated saphenous neurocutaneous island flap. They were proximally based flap 3 cases and distally based flap 10 cases. Clinically the flaps ranged in size from $4{\times}5\;cm$ to $6{\times}12\;cm$. Results: All of the flaps except 1 case survived completely. Three cases, however, had marginal necrosis. One case of flap failure was proximal tibia fracture accompanied with injury of the flap pedicle which was difficult in flap elevation, subsequently. Conclusion: The saphenous neurocutaneous island flap is a simple, reliable procedure with a versatility for soft tissue coverage of the lower leg, especially anteomedial aspect, including foot and ankle. In case of another injuries accompanied near the saphenous nerve, careful attention should be made.